Canon To Use Sony Sensors On Upcoming DSLRs, Or Are They? | Rumor

Canon has been taking a lot of flack over the last product cycle about the state of their camera sensors. The DxO’s of the world have made it pretty clear that Canon’s sensors are lagging behind that of their competitors in many key areas. It appears that Canon may be making alliances to end that problem, at least according to the rumor mill…

According to a new rumor report over on Canon Watch, “a very good source” has told him that Canon’s rumored upcoming Multi-Layer ‘Foveon Like’ sensor will, in fact, be made by Sony. Now just let that sink in for a bit.

Additionally, the rumor states that the new sensor would be used in two new “pro-grade” DSLRs that will be announced in Q1 of 2015. The interesting thing is, will this be a Nikon-like arrangement, where Nikon helps in the design process of the sensors and Sony manufactures them, or will it be a different relationship.

But Wait!

This could all be premature anyway. A second rumor post, over on Canon Rumors and Northlight Images refutes the Canon Watch report. Both rumor sites indicate that not long after this ‘Canon-Sony’ rumor surfaced, they received emails clearly stating that Canon will continue to use their own sensors in their DSLR lines.

So, take both rumors with a truckload of salt. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out…

Anthony Thurston is a photographer based in the Salem, Oregon area specializing in Boudoir. He recently started a new project, Fiercely Boudoir to help support the growing boudoir community. Find him over on Instagram. You may also connect with him via Email.

Q&A Discussions

I don’t buy the rumors, canon does have all that money invested in their sensor manufacturing, and from a business perspective, that would make their cameras more expensive due to outside costs of buying the sensor and it begs to ask the question about buying milk at the store when you have a cow at home.

1) Pride pride pride. Canon believes their current high-end / FF sensors are best, despite the DXOs of the world saying otherwise. I am a 5D3 owner and love my rig, but the data is quite clear in that Sony outperforms in resolution and low-ISO DR.

2) Canon has invested absurd amounts of money in sensor fab technology. They won’t walk away from that lightly and they don’t have a more lucrative market to farm that technology out to (Cinema EOS, maybe?). So not building their own sensors means they’ll effectively pay more to get them, in both the short and longer term.

3) DPAF is considered a premium sensor tech (regardless of resolution or DR) — will Canon walk away from that ‘technology distinctive’ over its competitors? Would they license that tech to Sony to keep being able to offer it? That’s a stretch to me.

4) Canon is still #1 in the score that matters: Sales. Until the pros of the world leave the Canon fold in large enough numbers to matter *expressly for dynamic range or resolution needs*, Canon will not make such a change with their pro gear.

5) CanonWatch does not have the reputation of delivering firsts like CR or NL do, and those two more reputable sites quashed the rumor with their own sources.

Your #4 point is interesting. On one hand yes, sales speaks a lot. And Canon does have this right now going for it. But as technology changes in the photographic industry and it’s doing so in a much faster pace than Canon, I think the tide may change.

When you look at the sensors Sony is producing with low light capabilities (very few if any are competing in this arena). Not to mention packing this technology into mirrorless in very competitive price points.

I think technological trends will outweigh overall sales and things will about to change. I see it now all over the forums on how photographers needs are changing and brand loyalty only goes so far.

I don’t think it’s the reputation necessarily keeping Canon users as much as it’s all the glass they’ve invested in and it’s hard to jump ship. Just my thoughts :)

Agree, it’s all about the glass. Canon’s lens lineup is so vast and comprehensive that it’s very difficult to leave the fold and replace everything you love on the lens side of things. That thoroughly trumps small to moderate sensor performance differences for many shooters. Few folks actually jump ship completely.

To your point about sales and about how much people, frankly, bitch online: yes, people are changing systems and moving to Sony or Nikon or MF, or whatever. It’s useful to also remember that the people who are happy with their current gear (of any brand) are usually the quietest in the room.

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